Bag closing and tying machine



C. F'. SPARKS.-

B'AG CLOSING AND TYING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILEDJAN. 12, |920.

Patented Aug. 15,1922.

'l c. F. SPARKS. BAG CLOSING ANDTYING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED IAN. I2, 1920.

Patented Aug. 15, 1922.

c. F. SPARKS. BAG CLOSING AND TYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. I2., 1920.l

SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented Aug. l5, 1922.

C. F. SPARKS.

BAG CLOSING AND TYING MACHINE@ APPLICATION man MN. 12, |920.

Patented Aug. 15, 19522. v

7 SHEETS`SHEET 4.

v h/ jzueizfaf c. F. SPARKS, BAG CLOSING AND `IYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I2, 1 920.

Patented Aug. 15, 1922.,`

TSHEETS-SHEET 5.

c. F. SPARKS; BAG CLOSING AND TYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION. FILED JAN. 12,1920.

'Patented Aug. 15, 1922 y 7 SHEETSfSHEET 6.

mgm@

c. F;- sPARKs. BAG CLOSING AND TYING MACHINE. v APPLICATION FILED .IAN.'I2, I9v20.

Patented Aug. 15, 1922. 7 SHEETS-SHEET I. .Z7

I Riva/75707 Uf/@5 12ga/ the machine.`

n ai

errantes' r.-v SPARKS, or" eiroiv, rtiiiiioi's.

Sp eeiiieaiioii of lLette :ene oiiosiive Ann twine'iviiionine".

raemieazmiaia 1.922.- Y

- Application ledranuary' 12,-1920n ySerialNo. 350,916.'-

T 0 alli/1.7i. :mit may concer/n.' c c Be it known that/l.y CHARLES F. SPARKS, a citizen of the `United States, residing at Altomlllinois, have invented a. certain nen7 and useful improvement in Bag Closing and Tying` Machines, oi which the tollovv-4 ing is a* full, clear, and exact description, such' as Will enable others skilled in the art to Which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, this specification. l i i.

My invention relates .generally to bag closing and tyingniachines', and more particularly to almachine which, in operation, will automatically contract and close the mouth of ahag, lay a pluralityy of loops oi'f cord about the contracted or closed portion of the, bag, draw said vloops tightly upon the closed neck of the'hag, form 'su knot or hitch .between the end portionsv of the loops, vand sever thev cord at the completion ot the tying and knotti operations. 1

My c improved y'machine is particularly designed for closingy andy tying the mouths et paper hags utilized as containers for powdered or` granular products. and suhstances. such as Hour, meal, cement, and

the like.

The principal object offniy inventionfis to provide av relatively simple machine which Amay be operated with compnatively little power and Which Will he ver-y eiiec I tive in automatically performing the clos ing and tying operations.

. A Jfurther ologect oit my invention is to provide. in a hay; closing and tying machine, relatively simple and positively operatingv mechanisms that are sov arranged and timed as to insure the proper operation ofthe cord handling devices, and Wliicl latterfinclude the' loop and laying` means, cord gripping means, the loop tightening means, the

knotoiliitch formingl device, andthe cord severing ine'ans` N ith the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention `consists in certain novel features of construction 4and arrangement oi parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accom# 'panying drawings, in Which- Figure l is a 'front elevational viev ofA a bag closing and tying machine ot my improved construction. f

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of `Figure 2. N. JJ. TFigure' 5 is yan enlarged verticalsection vtaken approximately on the vline V5- 5w of forming part of f taken` approximately roni 'the line" i12-1.2" l 90 f lFigure 3' is. `a 4horizontal' section talken approximately ontlie line` otFigurel Q.

Figure-fi` isfan enlarged Vvertical section 6'0` f taken approximately on the line 'iQ-#l 'ot Figure. 1

l' Figure 6 is an enlarged liorizontalsection taken approximately on the line' 6--6-ofr Figure l. ,v j-

y 1" Figure' 7 lis Va horizontal sectionl similar..

to Figure andi'vith certain `of theparts'70 in shiited positions:

. Figure-81s y.a diagrammatic jvieW illustratingtheposition or cord andcertainl parts` ofthe cord handling mechanismt 'at' the' y Figure 9 is `a diagrammatic view similar*4 .v to. Figure 8 and lshowing thefcord' .looped around theclosedy neck `of .the bag Iand vheld by the vcord grippingvmeansjv I Figure 10 is a 'diagramriiatici vie'W'show-80l ingthe cord looped around they closed neck y oi the bag `and Withfthe knot ytying Vneedle shifted into posit-ion to engage said cord- Figure .l1 is ab diagrammatic :vi ni 'illusi tratnig the posit-ion oit the` cord4 holding andy 85 knot tyifn'ZD means just prior' toizthe time the'y n cord is severed.l I :Ti-f Figure 12 is an enlarged verticall section olil Figure 3. l l y Figure 13 is`l` an enlarged 'detail section y taken approximately on the line 134-13 'of-- Fig'ure 12. Figure vlei is an enlargedy detail section: taken approximately on the line 015.195 y Figure 15 is an enlarged `horizontal see-` tioir taken `approximatelyu on! the line 15-15 oi Figdrurev 1.y i v "f Figure 16 is a horizontal section similar. 100

to Figureil andlvvith'the parts'. in shifted;

positions.

.Figure l17' c is. a detail; elevational AView partly yin section'.andshowing themean's` nate a air of connected u ri ht members chine are depending members 13 that are, preferably channel-shape in cross section and with the marginal flanges outwardly 'presented.` rllhese members which will be hereinafter referred to as arms are arranged to swing simultaneously toward and away from each other andsaid arms serve as supports for the greater portion of the operating parts of the machine, A ysupporting plate 14 is fixed to suitable rails on the members 10, said plate extending'between the lower portions of the arms 13 and secured to said plate adjacent to and on opposite sides of the center thereof are brackets 15. i

Journaled in bearings 16 that are formed on the central portions of the brach ts 15 is a shaft `17'.- Fixed to this shaft and positioned on one end thereof is a gear wheel 18, andloosely mounted on the opposite end of the shaft is a gear wheel 19. A shaft 20 driven by a vsuitable motor (not shown) carries a pinion 21 that meshes with gear wheel 18r and journaled in suitable bearings 22 that are formed on the upper ends of brachets 15 is a shaft 237 one end of which car-- ries apinion 24 that meshes with gear wheel- A18.`

Fixed on the end of shaft 23 opposite the end that carries the pinion 24 is a pinion 25, the same meshing with a pinion 26 that is carried by a stud shaft 27 that projects from the ladjacent bracket 15, and this pinion 26 meshes with the loosely mounted gear wheel 19.

By virtue ofthe driving connections just described, gear wheel 18 and shaft 17 are driven in one direction while loosely mounted gear wheel 19 is driven in the opposite di- Y rection. y

lLoosely mounted on shaft 17 between the brackets 15 is a beveled gear wheel 2S andv rfixed to the upperv face thereof is 'a ratchet wheel 29.l .Fixed on shaft 17 adjacent to this gage lthe teeth of ratchet wheel 29'.

ratchet wheel is a collar 30 and pivotally mounted thereupon is a spring-held pawl 317 the forward end of which is adapted to en- 'l`he opposite end of this pawl carries a roller 31a that bears directly against the inner periphery of a ring-shaped member 32, the lower end-,of the latter being fixed to support 14.

This ring-shapedmember encircles shaft 1'? and its inner periphery is provided withl a cam portion 33, tlielatter extending ap-y proximately one-third of the distance around the inner periphery or circumference of said member 32. y

Journaled in a'suitable bearing on supporting member 14 between the brackets 15 is a vertically disposed shaft 34, the upper end thereof carrying a pinion 35 that meshes with beveled wheel 23, and supported Vby the lower portion of this shaft 34 is .a

horizontally disposed arm 3&3, the same servingas a support for a spool 37a that carries the cord e. that is utilized in tying` the bags.

Pivotally mounted on arm 36 is a springheld tubular member 37' through which the cord A is adapted to pass and the lower end of this tubular member is bent to form a curved finger 33 from the end of'which the cord issues as it is laid around the-closed mouth of a bag.

Hinged 'to the lower end of one of the arms 13`is the lower end of an upwardly and outwardly projecting plate 39 and hinged to thel lower end of the other arm 13 is a corresponding plate 40. Connecting the upper portion of plate 39 with a wrist pin on gear wheel 13 is a linlr 41 and connecting the upper portion ofv plate 40 with a wrist pin on gear wheel 19 is a linlr 42. By virtue of the arrangement just described,

the arms 13 and parts carried thereby are 'si-v multaneously swung toward and away from each other. e g

T L ir'oosely arranged in apertures formed in the arms 13 and plates 39 and 40 are curved rods 43 and 43 the same being concentric with the axes of the plates 39 and 40, and the outer ends of both of these curved rods are threaded in order to receive nuts 44 which bear against the outer faces of the plates 39 and 40. Positioned upon'these curved rods and interposed between the arms 13 andy plates 39 and 40 are compression springs 45,` the normal tendency of which is 'to swing' the plates 39 and 40 away fromthe arms 13.

Secured in any suitable manner to the lower end of arm 13 to which plate 39 is connected is one of the bag closing plates 46, and carried by the lower end of the other arm 13 is a plate 47 that cooperates with' said plate 4G in the bag closing operations. The particular construction of these plates may be more clearly understood by reference to Figures 15 and 16,

rlhe forward end of plate 46 is provided with a V-shaped, notch 48 while the front edge of plate 4'? is substantially straight and at right anglesv to the sides of the plate, and formed at thev center of said straight edge is a relatively small semi-circular notch 49.

.W hen the plates 46 and 47 are moved toward each other to effect the closing of the bag, the plate 46 lies immediately above iiol plate 47 and when said plates vhave reached their limit of movement toward each other, the compressed' upper portion of the bag is positioned in a relatively small circular opening that is formed between the inner portion of notch 48 and the semi-circular notch 49.v (See Fig. 15.) Y

To assist in the bagf closing operations, plate 47 carries on its underside a pair of bag closing-lingers 50, the saine being pivotally mounted at points 51 adjacent to the rear edge of said plate 47 and the forward ends offsaidngers which project slightlyl beyond the front edge of plate 47 are beveledas designated by 52. The inner ledges of the: fingers immediately to the` rear yof of the'lingers together, and thereby spread- ,ing the forward ends of said fingers apart.

Positioned von plate 46 adjacent to the inner end of notch'48 is an upwardly projecting conical or rounded lug 59 and'prof jectin'g upwardly from the apex thereof is a short pin 60. Located on the plate 46 to one side of this lug 59 is a block 61 having straight upright ends 62 and 63. Pivotally mounted on a pin 64 that projects-upwardly from plate 46 'a short distance away from block 61 rare arms 65 and 66, the free end of arm 65 being provided :with ahead 67 Vthat is adapted to grip the bag tying cord against the end face 62 of lug 61 and the end of arm 66 is vprovided with. ahead 68 that is adapted to grip the cord against thel end vface"'6? of said block 61. These' arms 65 and 66 are normally pulled towardl each other.- by a retractile spring 69.v Arm 65 is swung upon its pivot byl means of a pair of togglel links 70, the outerend of one of which is pivotally connected toiablock 71v that is fixed to plate 46 and the outer end of the opposite link being pivotally connected to a ypin 72 that projects upwardly from said arm 65.

Connected to said toggle link is the lower end. of 'any upright rod 73, the upper end of the latter being flexibly connected to the horizontal ar'mfof a bell crank 74, the latter being fulcrumed to. a bracket 751that projects inwardlyfrom the swinging frame 13 that carries plate 46. A retractilespring'` 76 isico'nnected to the vertical arm of this bell crank 74 and to the adjacent lmember 13 and saidbell crank is adaptedto beswung upon as fina-umby a'pus'iipiawfthat isadjustably seated in the auxiliary frame or swinging member 39 land said pin entering j through la suitable aperture kin the adjacent-M frame firm 66 is swungv upon its pivot by means ofa pair of toggle links 78, the outer end of one of which is pivotally ccnnected to a lug 79 that isiixed to plate 46 and the outer end of the opposite link being pivotally connected Ato a pin 8O that projects' upwardly froinsaid arn'i 66;A j

The lowerfend of an `upright rod 81v is connectedto toggle links 78 :and theupperf. end `of said rod being lexibly'conn'ected to the horizontal arm of a bell crank 82.` Thisv bellcrank is Ifulcrumed to abracket '83 prof jecting outwardly from' the acent fswing'- solv ingrnember 13` and connected to the vertical l arm Vof-'said bell cranlris a retractilespring'` 84; Bell vcrank 82 is adaptedto bezshifted `upon itsl fulcrumby a push pin v85 that .is

adjustably seated` in auxiliary swinging Y an opening in the adjacent frame 13.

. ulcrumed on plate 46. adjacent to lug`5'9 frame 39v and said pin projecting throughl of the long arm of which is normally drawn toward lug 59 by a retractile sp`ring87A and lprojectingupwardly fromJ-the end `of the long arm of said bell"cr'an-k. isa lrelatively short pin 88; Formed inthe shortarin .of this bell crank :S6 is a slot 89 and engagingv therein vis ay pin 90 that [is formed lon thel lower en dof anupright lever 91. 1 This lever `is fulcrumedon a bracket'92 that projects from thel adjacent swinging' vframe `13 fand adapted to engage vthe'uppery end o'fl-said- .lever` and swingthe same upon .its fulcrum. l l is a push pin93'that is adj-ustably seated in v auxiliarytrame139 and` operates through an opening forinedin adjacent'frame 13.

The/means utilized for severing the tying*- cord at the completion `lof-the bag closing and tying operationstincludes'fa relatively shortbla'de 94' that is carried by an arm 95, the latterfbeing carried by a rock shaft96 that is journaled inrsuitable bearings .on plate 46. One end'of this rock shaft carriesa short lcrank, arm 97 and the lat-ter beingv connected by :means of arod 9S to one ofthe arms of `a-bell crank 99. This bell crank is fulcrumed on astandardlOO that projects upwardly vfrom plate 46 and connected to the other one of thear'ms thereof is a1 rod,v 101, the otherveHn-dof which is connected tothe lower end of anii'pright lever 102. This leverv is fulcrumed to a ksuitable bracket on thev adjacent swinging frame' 13 and` said lever isadaptedto be swung on its fulcrumto effectv av downward movement ofthe blade carrying arm 95by a push vrod`103 ythat is adjustably seated-iniio auxiliary frame 39 and voperatesthrout'gfh ag.

suitable aperture in the adj acentfranie .l1-3, The blade 94 is adapted to sever theo'ord sott surface to receive the cutting edge of the blade, a block 10e-of wood, fiber or the llike is inserted in plate i6 immediately in i front of the block 61 and head 68.

Projecting inwardly from the lower portion of swinging member 13 that carrie-s plate 17 is a bracket 105 and pivotally connected thereto is a horizontally disposed arm 106. A spring 105a is connected to this arm and bracket, and the tendency ot said spring is to swing the -free end of said arm toward the adjacent trame 13 or tothe position as illustrated iny Figure 6. rlhe tree end ot this arm 106 carries a block 107 in which is adjustably arranged the rear end of a knot tying needle 103, the same being curved so that it is concentric with the axis of the arm 106. Formed on top orlk this needle and near'its forward end is an upwardly projecting lug 109 having inclined front and rear ends. Formed in the top ot the forward end or' the needle is a notch 110 and normally overlying said notch is a spring-held plate 111 that is pivoted at its rear end to said needle andits forward endy being curved upwardly as designated by 112. Pivotally connected to the top of block 107 is the forward end of a horizont-ally disposed rod 113 and formed on the outer tace.

thereof near its rear end is a triangular lug 114. rl`his rod occupies a plane immediately beneath a. bracket 115 that projects laterally from the adjacent swinging member 13, and

seated in the depending outer endV ot this` bracket is a screw 116, the point or torward end of which is adapted to engagethe outer Jface of the triangular lug 114i. Fulcrumed on the side ot swinging frame 13 that carries plate 47 is an upright lever 11'?, the lower end of which is provided with ay horizontally disposed flange 118 upon which rod 113 normally rests, and secured to the end of said flange is a short Yflat spring 119, the free end of which bears against they edge of rod 113 and tends to torce the same toward vthe lower end or lever 117. r1`hat portion of the lever immediately above flange 118 is beveled as designated by 120 and said beveled edge is adapted 'to'y engage the inclined face of lug 111-. Pivotally connected to the upper end or' lever 117 is one end ot a link 121, the opposite end ot' which is pivotally connected to the upper portion of auxiliary swinging trame l10.

The` operation or my improved bag closing and tying machine is as follows:

As the driving motor connected lto shaft 20 is operated, pinion 21 carried by said shaft will transmit motion to gear wheel 18 fixed on shaft 17, and the rotary motion of the latter is transmitted through pinion 21 'to shaft 23, and from thence through pinquently, the latter rotates simultaneously and at the same rate ot speed with gear wheel 13, but said gear wheels rotating in opposite directions. As the gear wheels are thus rotated, connecting rods y11 and 4:2 swing the main trames 13 andauxiliary trames 39 and 10 simultaneously toward and away from each other.

ie springs are relatively stili so that the main frame and auxiliary trames move together or without movement ot the auxil-y iary trames relative to the main trame, and during lthe first quarter of the complete revolution of the gear wheels 18 and 19, the main trames 13 swing toward each other so that the plates 46 and 47 occupy horizontal planes with plate L16 immediatelyv over plate L1'?. Previous to this action, a iilled bag is positioned on table vor platform ,.11 and when the plates 16 and 417 are thus brought together, t ie open neck of the bag will be 'folded into a relatively small compass and vcompressed into the small circular opening result, the forward ends of said lingers will i l l! J. L i oe ici ceo toward each other,thereby materially assisting in the contracting and closing of the neck or' the bag. As the forward ends ot lthe fingers are thus swung toward each other, the side portions of lthe bag are en'- gaged in the notches 53- and gradually compressed and contracted into a relativel small compass.v (See Fig. 15.)

At the end of 4he first quarter revolutionv of the gear wheels 18 and 19, the main trames 13 occupy vertical positions, but the auxiliary trames 39 and 10 have not yet begun their movement toward said main trames. 1

During the second quarter of the revolution oit the gear wheels-18 and 19, 'auxiliary frames 39 and L10fare swungV upon their pivot points so that their upper ends move toward the mainframes 13, such action compressing the springs -15 and moving thel various push pins or lingers that are carried by saidauxiliary frames through the main trames so as to engage and actuate the'various levers andfbell cranks that form parts oit the cord gripping and knot tying` mechanisms, and which various operations are hereinafter more fully described.

The third quarter revolution of the gear wheels 13 and 19 permits the auxiliar frames 39 and 4:0 to swing outward to their normal. positions under the expansive action and tied bag is now removed from position between the plates 46 andf47 and another bag placed m position to be'V closed and tied'. Thus the continuous rotary motion of the motor driven shaft is utilized for swinging` the main frames together to close thevbag and said frames and the bag closing means l maintain such positions while the cord is being laid in loops around the closed neck of the bag and while said cord is being tied and severed.

The means utilized for laying the loops of cord. around the closed neck of the bag will now be described, the greater part'of this niechanismbeing illustrated in Figures 12 to 14 inclusive.

As -hereinbefore described, vvertical shaft 34 carries cross arm 36 on which is mounted a core carrying spool and a tubular member 37, the curved lower end of which latter is adapted to travel in a circle around the closedneck of the bag immediately above the plane occupied by plate 46, while the same is at its inward limit of movement or as illustrated in Figure 1; "Beveled gear wheel 2S is loose on shaft 17 and constantly in mesh with pinion 35. Collar 30 is fixed on shaft 17 and therefore it carries pawl 31 with it during its rotary movement. While roller 31"L on the rear end ofpawl 31 is riding on the high or cam portion 33 of ring 32, the point of said pawl is disengaged from ratchet wheel 29, and consequently the rotary motion of shaft 17 is not transmitted to said ratchet wheel and the gear wheel 28 until the roller 31L rides off the cam surface 33. As soon `as this action takes place, the pawl 31 in its shifted position locks the ratchet wheel 29 to shaft 17 to rotate therewith and consequently the rotary motion of said shaft is transmitted through gear wheel 28 tov pinion 35 and which latteris fixed on shaft 34. This rotary motion continues un-l til shaft 34 has made two complete revolutions thereby laying two loops of cord around the closed neck of the bag, said cord passing downward through the tubular member 37 and feeding from the lower end thereof. The end of the cord that leads from the lower end of tubular member 37 is gripped between block 61 and head 67 vas hereinafter more fully described.

Following the two complete revolutions of the cord .laying shaft 34, the roller 31arides yonto the high portionv33 of the cam,thereby disengaging the pa'wl 31 from ratchet wheel and the cord laying mechanismceases'to operate until the roller again rides onto the high portion of the 'camduring the succee'dfy ing cycle'of operations. rlhe parts are-pro'- lportioned'so tliat'the Ashaft'34 and cord laying parts carried thereby makes two com-Vv VAplete revolutions during about live-twelfths of a vcomplete revolution of shaft`v17,v and the f loop laying operations `are 'effected immediately after the" platesv 46and 47 rhave been brought together Aand 'during the first'part y.

of the movementk of the auxiliary frames 39 and 40 toward the main frames 13 and which movements of the auxiliary.` -frames bringv about an actuationof the cord engag-` l ing devices carried by plate47'.

The holding of the tying`cord`,the laying of the 4loopsfthe formation of the hitch-'of knot, and the severing be described.`

of the cord willnow` l At the beginningfof each loop laying ope, i

eration, the cord extends from thekcurved lowerend of tubular member'37 to thevend` Iof block' 61 andl the bight ofy said `cord ad! jacent toits end is gripped between said block and h ea'd 67, said cord having been severed at the conclusion of the preceding loop laying operations by the" bladef'94`and the operationA ofTwh-ich` latter will'be hereinafter'more fully described; As the bag closing plates 46 `and 47 reach theirs'closed positionsthe cord laying member 37 starts y on its revolving movements 'aboutthe-close'd neck of the bagv andthe lower end of `said member 37 travels in a circular'path Aas ill lustrated bydotted."linesl in `FiguresS to 1 1 inclusive; Y

The bight of the cord is carried once around the closed neckof the bag with .said

Vcord overlying the `conical member`59 and bearing yagainst vpin 60 as illustrated in Figure S. As' thislirst' loop ofthe cord islaid it rides over theheads 67 ,and 68 and block 61 withoutv` being'e'ngaged thereby for the' reason that` at the time the ycordisi carried oversaid heads and block, the'heads are closed against the block andas abovedescribed, the kend of the cord is gripped'be'- tween head 67 and blockl`l61'. As the ,movenient ofthe cord laying arm continues, a second loop is laid about the closed .neck of lthe bag'with said (second loop" engaged'by the pins 60 and88`, the la-ttercarriedfby bell crank l86. `lVhile the latter part of this second loop is` being laid, the tying hookLv 108 y I starts on its inward lmovement over plate 46 and in such movement, it passes beneath fa portion ofthe cord forming theflirst loop pins 60 and 88, thereby providing a sufi-i'- isov 1525 and over a yportion ofthe cord formingthe' cient amount of slack that is to be taken 4up by the return movement of the hook. As the hook reaches its final limit of movement, or as illustrated in Figures 7 and 10, that portion of the cord forming the end of the second loop and extending to the .tubular member 37 passes between the hinged member 111 and the point of the hook and engages in the notch or recess 110 in said hook.

rin instant prior to the completion of the second loop, arms 65 and '.66 will be actuat- ,ed to move heads 67 and 68 away from block 61, thereby releasing' the endof the cord kwhich was yclamped between head 67 and blockl at the beginning of the i'irst loop Aandthe bight of the cord at the end of the "second loop will` be carried first between head 68 and block 61 and immediately thereafter/between head 67 and block-61, after which arms 65 and 66 will return to their normal positions so that the heads 67 and 68 will clamp the bight of the cord at the completion ot the second loop. Upon the return ofthe hook, the hinged member 111 prevents the other portions or" the cord from catching inthe recess or notch 110 and the `loop or portion of the cord engaged in said notchis drawn outwardly away from the neck oit the bag as illustrated in Figure 11.

lnasmuch as that portion of the cord just beyond the end of the second loop is clamped by heads 67 and 68 against block 61, that f portion of the cord engaged bythe hook will slidefreely through the notch 11, thereby taking up all slack in the two loops and drawing the same tightly about the neck of the bag.l As the hook reaches the end of its rearward movement, arm 95 is actuated so as to swing blade 94 downward7 thereby Cutting the cord adjacent to block 61 and head 68. At this period in the cycle of operations, the bight of the cord at the end of thev second loop is cut and the end of the cord that is clamped against block 61 by heads 67 and 68 leads from said head 67 to thev end of the tubular member 38, and thus the parts are ready for the succeeding loop laying operations. A loop of the cord still remains engaged in the notch 110 of the hook, and as the tied bag is removed to make place for a succeeding openA bag, the hook pulls the end of the cord through the loops around the neck of the bag, thereby changing the knot from a loop or bow-knot to a complete double-half hitch.

The conical lug 59 carrying the pin 61 is effective in holding the cord so that the tying hook passes beneath one of' the loops and moves into position to engage the end ot the second loop, whereby it may be drawn backward as the hook returns to its normal position. The crank 86 holds the cord after it has been engaged by the pin 61 on conical member 59 and holds the bight of the cord so as to perpin 88 carried by the bellinnesca mit the hook to move over this particular aart of the cord. Motion is imparted to the hook 108 through lever 117 and which latter is swung upon its tulcrum as frame 4() swings outward. s lever 117 is thus actuated, flange 118 engages lug 1111 on rod 113, thereby moving the same inwardly and causing the hook to travel forward toengage in the cord as hereinbeiore described. it the completion of this movement, lug 111 will strike against screw 116, thereby swinging the rear vend of rod rearwardly upon llange 118, and the power stored in coil spring 107 will act to immediately restore the hook to its nor ral position and rod v113 will move routwardly upon Hange'118. Thus a relatively quick rearward or return movement of the tying hook 108is effected and when lever 117 swings back to its normal position, vspring 119 will act to shift rod 113 so that the lug 114 thereupon will engage behind the lowerend of lever 117, as illustrated in Figure 6.

A bag closing and tying machineof my improved construction is comparatively simple, can be operated with comparatively little power, operates with comparative rapidity, and is very eiiiective in accom-y plishing its intended functions.

lt will bc readily understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved bag closing and tying machine can be made and substituted for those herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set iorth in the appendedclaims.

l claim: Y

1. In a bag closing and tying machine, a pair of horizontally disposed plates arranged to move toward eachl other so that one plate overlaps the other, the front end of one of said plates being notched, and a pair of closing lingers carried by the other plate and adapted to move toward each other.

2. 1n a bag closing and tying machine, a pair oi horizontally disposed plates arranged to move toward and awayy from each other, the front end of one of said plates being notched, a pair of closing lingers pivotally arranged on the other plate, and means for moving the forward ends vof said lingers toward each other as the plates approach each other.

8. ln a bag lclosing and tying machine, a pair of substantially upright trames pivotally supported adjacent to their upper ends, horizontally disposed plates carried by the lower ends of said frames, the forwardend of one ot said plates being notched, anda pair otmovable bag engaging and closing fingers carried by the other plate.

el. In a bag closing and tying machine, a pair oi? substantially upright frames pivotally supported adjacent to their upper ends,

` iaaasea the forward end of oneof said plates being notched, a pair of bag 'engaging and'closinglingers pivotally arranged `on theother plate, and meansifor swinging saidframes simultaneously toward and awayfrom each other.

6. In a bag closingr and tying machine, a4 f pair of substantially upright frames pivotally mounted neargtheir upper ends, plates carried by the lower portions of said frames, the forward end of one of said plates being notched, a pair of bag engaging and closing lingers pivotally arranged on the other plate,

means for swinging said frames siniultane` ously toward and away from each other, and means for swinging the forward ends of the bag closing lingers toward each other as the rames and plates swing toward each other.

T, In a bag closing and tying machine, a pair of horizontally disposed plates arr-anged to move toward each other so that one vplate overlies the other, one of said plates being provided with a bag receiving notch, a pair of bag closing fingers mounted for operation on the other plate, means for laying a plurality of loops of cord around the neck of a bag engaged by the notched plate and fingers, and means for tying the ends of the cord forming said loops.

8. ln a bag closing and tying machine, a-

pair of horizontally disposed plates arranged to move toward each other so that one plate.

overlies the other, one of said plates being provided with a bag lreceiving notch, a pair of bag closing lingers mounted for operation on the other plate, means for laying a plurality of loops of cord around the neck of a bag engaged bv the notched plate and iingers, means for tying the ends of the cord forming said loops, and means for severing the cord after the tying of the knot has been eifected. i l

9. ln a bag closing and tying machine, the combination with means for closing the -mouth of abag which means includes pair of plates arranged to move toward each other so that one plate overliesthe other, of means for laying ai pluralty of loops of cord around the neck of the closed bag, means for gripping the end of the cord and the bight thereof adjacent to said loops, means for drawing said loops taut,4 and means for tying a knot in the cord adjacent to said loops whichcord gripping means,

`cord drawing means, and knot tying means are carried bythe overlying plate.

l0. ln a bag closing and tying machine,

the .combination with means for closing-the mouth of a bag which means `includes a pair 4of plateslarrangedwto move toward each other so that one plate overlies theother, of meansgfor laying a plurality 'of loops of cord around the' neck of the `closed bag,

means for gripping the end of the cord' and the bight thereof vadjacent to said loops,

means for drawing ksaid loops taut, and i f tying a knot in thefcord adjacentto said. loops, and `means for severing said cord ad jacent to the knot, said cord gripping means, loop drawing means,knot tying means, -a-nd cord severing means are carriedby the over,- lying plate. i 1l. in a bag closingand tying machine, ya pair of substantially upright frames ypivotednear their upper ends and arranged to swing toward and fr m each other, bag engaging and closing` means carried by the lower portions of said frames, avertically disposed rotatablymounted shaft arranged between said frames, and a cord laying linger lcarried vby said shaft and adapted to passv around'the neck of abag engaged by the closing means. e v

` l2. ln a bag closinganol tying machine, a pair of substantially lupright frames pivoted near theirvupper ends and arrangedto swing toward and away from each other, `bag engaging and closing means carried by the lower portions of said frames, avertically disposed rotatably mounted shaft arranged between said frames, a cordilaying linger carried by said shaft.` and adapted to passiaround the neck 'of a bag engaged by the closing means, a driving shaft, and operating connections between said shaft and so V ioo

the swingingframes and the vertically disposed shaft.

'ljln a' bag closingand tying machine,

a pair of bag engaging and closing plates mounted'to move toward and away from each other, .means for laying a pluralityof loops of cord around the closed neck of the V bag positioned between the plates, a pair of' closing lingers associated with one l of the plates, means carried by the lsame plate for grippingthe cord forming the loops to draw `said loops taut around the neck of the bag,

ineansfor severingtlie `cord mounted on the plate that vis opposite the plate carrying thel fingers, means for actuating the gripping means to pull the loops taut, means forI ac`` tuating the plates toA move the same toward y i and away from each other and for actuating the cord laying means and cord gripping means in proper timed relation to each other.

14. In a bagv closing and tying machine,

a pair of substantially upright 'frames adapted to swing toward and away.` from eachother, bag` closing plates carried by the lower portions of said trames, means or laying a plurality of loops around the closed neck'of a bag projecting upwardly etweenr said plates, means on one of said plates for pair of bag engaging` and closing' plates adapted to 4move toward and away 'from each other, means for laying` loops of cord around the neck ot a bag that is engaged and closed by said plates, means on one of said plates for gripping` portions of the cord, an upwardly projectii o; member on the platel adjacent to said gripping means for holding' the loops of Cord one above the othera and operable means on the other one of the plates for engaging a portion of the cord and drawing the same between the loops and then drawing` the loops taut about the closed neck of the bag.

lo. In a bagv closing' and tying machine,

a pair of plates adapted to move toward of cord about the closed neck of the bag, a'

hook adapted to pass `between the loops of cord around the neck of the bag and engage the bight of the cord and draw the same rearwardly between. said loops, means for in'ipartingy forward movement to said hook, which means is releasable at a predetermined point in the travel of said hook, and a spring for imparting rearward movement to said hook upon its release.

ln testimony whereof I hereunto aiix my signature this 30th vday of December, 1919.

CHARLES F. SPARKS. 

